Researchers say the status of a popular Northland marine park needs
to be reviewed because of the damage from recreational over-fishing. Mimiwhangata,
48km northeast of Whangarei, was set up as a marine park in 1984, and is
administered by the Department of Conservation (Doc). All commercial fishing,
net and long lines are prohibited in the park and regulations imposed on
recreational fishers to assist the restoration and preservation of marine
life. However, marine conservationist Vince Kerr and marine biologist Dr
Roger Grace have recently completed a three-year Doc-funded study of the
park and say it is failing.

There is a case for claiming that this
marine park has deliberately been left to decline by the people who are
responsible for its management: the Department of Conservation. Compared
to other protected areas, signage is poor and policing almost completely
absent.

Their work compared the marine habitat, species and kelp forests there
today with data from the 1970s. Mr Kerr and Dr Grace have recommended the
park be reclassified as a marine reserve. Mr Kerr said their findings were
of "surprise and concern". He believed predator removal by major fishing
had an impact. "We found things like snapper haven't improved in the park,
they have in fact decreased. The decrease of snapper, which are natural
predators of kina, has led to an increase in kina which in turn eat the
kelp forests and have created what we call kina barren, huge areas of reef
where nothing grows," Mr Kerr said.

The term used is believe, because
these researchers have no proof. If snapper within the park have decreased,
there must be something wrong with their measuring method, since it implies
that conservation measures have a negative effect. What the scientists
fail to mention is that the sea bottom in this area consists of a vast
extent of shallow sand, unsuitable as snapper feeding grounds, while also
providing little shelter. What they also fail to mention or understand
is that kelp beds cannot be expected on rocky reefs ending in shallow sand
(see our own discoveries in survey93).
In their reports, these scientists are disappointed about the poor return
of kina, yet here they claim that kina (as if unpredated by humans) cause
kelp beds to disappear. It is bad science.

f036002: the urchin habitat or kina barren at Mimiwhangata
is not devoid of life.

Crayfish numbers recorded in Mimiwhangata were nearly non-existent but
where they were fully protected at Tawharanui, 20km north-east of Warkworth,
numbers were "spectacular," Mr Kerr said. "The evidence clearly showed
that the marine-park status of Mimiwhangata needed to be reviewed. Things
are being fished down to a low level and kept there."
Doc Whangarei area manager John Gardiner said the current regime had
not worked, and he would like to see the area restored to its "former glory".

These words are a clear demonstration
of DoC's marine reserves policy of lock-up and hope. Comparing Mimiwhangata
with Tawharanui is more than just mischievous since Mimiwhangata's almost
total dearth of crayfish habitat and sandy shallowness cannot be compared
with that of Tawharanui with its deep and broken rocky shore, rich in crayfish
habitat, with feeding grounds nearby. Although there is a case for protecting
the area directly surrounding the Park and outcrops, it cannot be expected
to ever restore to more than it now is. The main reasons are found in its
naturally poor habitats and it being on a migratory route for fish.

Interested parties would have three months to make submissions on a formal
document on the findings, and the future of Mimiwhangata. A decision would
then be made whether to proceed with a formal application for the park
to be reclassified, Mr Gardiner said.

Huge reserve proposed to
bolster fish stocksBy Tony Gee for the New Zealand Herald
9 July 2004
[the text in blue is ours]

CONSERVATION: Recreational fishing may (will)
be banned in a vast extension of the Mimiwhangata marine sanctuary

Increased pressure from fishing is behind a proposal for a huge, fully
protected marine reserve on Northland's east coast at Mimiwhangata, 50km
north of Whangarei. The plan is being promoted by the Department of Conservation
and the hapu of Te Uri O Hikihiki for Mimiwhangata, which lies about half-way
between Cape Brett and Bream Head. The proposal is to be publicly launched
on Monday (12/7) with an informal discussion
document starting a three-month community consultation.

DoC is calling a formal proposal
now a discussion document after which the statutory Application
is made. Let there be no doubt: this is the formal proposal which should
lead to abandonment of the project in case of overwhelming adverse public
reaction, as specified in DoC's own procedure manual. See the process.
However, so far no proposal has ever been abandoned, even after overwhelming
adverse public reaction. DoC simply won't listen to reasonable arguments
and submissions. The term community consultation is still being
used to hide the reality, that of a total umwillingness to listen.

If a fully-fledged, no-take marine reserve is created with no commercial,
recreational or harvest fishing allowed, Mimiwhangata would be one of the
biggest marine reserves in the country. It would cover up to 11,200ha (112km2)
under one option, or 7200ha (72km2) under
another. Under both reserve options, the length of shoreline within the
existing Mimiwhangata marine park would be reduced, but the reserve would
extend much further out to sea - about 9km on average for the bigger option
and 6.5km for the smaller area.

In support of the proposal it must be
said that a relatively large part of continental sea is covered for a relatively
small stretch of coastline. It must also be said that this place still
enjoys relatively clear water although severe degradation has already set
in while also water quality has deteriorated substantially in the past
ten years. The Goat Island marine reserve has shown that in ideal conditions
(which are no longer here), an effective marine reserve should cover some
100km2 rather than 5 as around Goat Island.

The current marine park, covering about 2000ha (20km2),
was established in 1984 and 10 years later commercial fishing was banned
together with longlines, nets and weighted hooks. Recreational fishing
is allowed with floating lines, unweighted single hooks and spear guns.

The 20km2 park has enjoyed intermediate
protection for at least 10 years and this should be borne out by observable
differences between inside and outside where spearfishing becomes impractical.
That scientists do not find these testifies of the presence of a larger
threat than fishing, that of degradation from landbased pollution.

But studies over the last three years show Mimiwhangata's marine environment,
together with snapper and crayfish stocks, has not recovered when compared
with survey data from the 1970s.

This is not surprising, since the habitats
enclosed by the Paark contain little good habitat for either snapper or
crayfish.

"The comparisons are not good," said Department of Conservation area manager
John Gardiner. "The marine park status at Mimiwhangata isn't working."

This marine park was designed to provide
for recreation rather than complete environmental protection, by allowing
most forms of recreational fishing, gathering of shellfish, kina and crayfish,
and even allowing all forms of spearfishing. Before claiming that it is
not working, all of its benefits must be evaluated first. Likewise, before
closing a large portion off forever, the benefits must be weighed against
the liabilities such as the loss of extractive recreation and economical
losses.

Vince Kerr, marine advocate and biologist, said there had been no real
change in fish stocks compared with other areas inside and outside marine
reserves. Mimiwhangata had low levels of any size of snapper, especially
legal size, compared with outside areas and fully protected areas. There
was a similar finding for crayfish. "Mimiwhangata is tracking along about
the same as other areas with no protection," Mr Kerr said.

Mr Kerr has not noticed that the Mimiwhangata
promontory attracts fishermen because of the shelter that can be found
there and because fish like snapper migrate past. Mr Kerr should also be
honest about scientists' reports which mention that some fish species have
increased their numbers.

There had been no recovery in fish stock numbers while fishing was restricted
to only recreational. Boat count surveys over the park summer holiday period
showed up to 100 boats a day fishing at Mimiwhangata, reducing to one or
two during winter months.
"There has to be a concern that there's an increase in recreational
fishing pressure," Mr Kerr said. "Mimiwhangata is also home to rare and
subtropical species. These include foxfish, combfish, spotted black grouper
and tropical surgeonfish.

Mr Kerr is a scientist who does not stop
at making outrageous statements like these. Rare and subtropical species
do not belong here, and the cooler water combined with pollution of recent
years has removed them also from protected places like the Poor Knights
where foxfish, combfish, spotted black grouper and tropical surgeonfish
can no longer be found. (during over 2000 dives, I have never met either
tropical surgeonfish or foxfish - FA) They cannot be found in Leigh
either, or any other marine reserve for that matter. Marine reserves are
simply not going to protect exotic species.

The area has complex reefs with some places up to 100m deep. Recent investigations
have shown major marine habitat changes in which kelp forests have been
dramatically reduced and kina numbers have grown. The kelp forests are
important as nursery areas for many fish.

Mr Kerr is referring to flawed marine
research done in the Leigh area, extrapolating a myth to Mimiwhangata.
The fact is, he has no data to substantiate his arguments. He also forgets
the effect of urchin gathering. Read Science
Exposed.

Mr Gardiner said the fully protected marine reserve concept was favoured
because it would adjoin the Mimiwhangata coastal farm park with its camping
and native bush walks. "By adding a Mimiwhangata marine reserve, it really
starts to hum."

A small fully protected marine reserve
around the farm park would have merit if access would also be better. At
the moment, visitors must leave their cars in a parking lot located at
the edge of the park. From there to the first rocky shore is an unbearable
distance, particularly for divers who have heavy equipment, typically over
30kg. Even so, due to the shallow sand found all around the park, the underwater
experience would be of low quality. For similar reasons the marine reserve
would have little educational value.

Submissions on the marine reserve proposal close on October 12. The Department
will also set up discussions and meetings with iwi, fishing clubs and community
groups before submissions close. Mr Gardiner said a decision on whether
to proceed with a formal application to create a marine reserve would be
made after submissions and community input was assessed later this year.
The assessments would consider whether anyone was likely to be 'unduly'
adversely affected by the creation of a Mimiwhangata reserve.

Oops! This is pure hogwash! Demoiselles
are not fished since they are too small for nets, which have been banned
anyway, and they do not bite a baited hook. They are not threatened, either
inside our outside a marine reserve. Neither are the sponges harvested
or threatened. A no-take marine reserve will not provide these with greater
protection since also their main threat comes from the land! Ironically,
demoiselles are better off outside marine parks where large predators are
less common.

It is very disappointing that both scientists
and a Government Department are tempted so easily to abandon the truth
in favour of lies and deceiving the public.

Forest and Bird today welcomed the proposal by the kaumatua of Te Uri
O Hikihiki hapu and the Department of Conservation for a Marine Reserve
at Mimiwhangata. "This coastline is incredibly valuable for the Northland
environment and economy", said Forest and Bird's Northern Conservation
Officer, David Pattemore, "It's great to hear about this latest proposal
for protection of Northland's unique coastal ecosystems".

"There are a number of features on this coastline that now highlight
it's international importance", said Mr. Pattemore, "including the recently
announced 'worlds-first' exclusion zone for large vessels, and the world-renowned
Poor Knights Marine Reserve. This signals that the coastline of Northland
is set to become the most important resource for the future economic, social
and environmental well-being of the region. Marine Reserves will have a
crucial role in this future".

It is sad to see F&B's support for
what are largely undemocratic decisions inflicted on the NZ public. The
large vessel exclusion zone has never been discussed broadly or voted on
and the Mimiwhangata marine reserve follows public consultation
only in name, as have all other marine reserve proposals in the past. These
people so easily espouse economic benefits without any economic
analysis in support.

"With this proposal, the people of Northland and visitors will be able
to see spectacular marine life as it once occurred around our whole coastline,
without having to travel all the way down to Leigh", he said. "The area
proposed is currently managed as a Marine Park with a number of fishing
restrictions, but several scientific studies have shown that this has not
been able to prevent further losses at the park."

A marine reserve in what used to be the
last remnant of clear coastal water, deserves merit, and the Rimariki island
close to the coast resembles the situation at Goat Island somewhat. However,
this area is awash in sand, with large open beaches and very little rocky
shore within easy access. It is also more exposed than Goat Island, limiting
the number of days suitable for education. It will therefore not offload
the Goat Island marine reserve and those who propose it will be in for
disappointment in this respect. Scientific reports have shown both gains
and losses in marine life.

"The reality is that the larger predators are still being taken out in
significant numbers, leading to flow-on effects in the whole ecosystem",
said Mr. Pattemore.

"Marine reserves provide a unique opportunity to protect whole marine
ecosystems, so that we can see what our marine life used to look like",
said Mr. Pattemore, "they are also crucial for our understanding of fish
biology and ecology that will help guide management elsewhere."

"The vast majority of Northland's coastline is open to exploitation
by whoever, whenever, however", said Mr. Pattemore, "These reserves are
sign that we are starting to think wisely about providing for future generations
and that we recognize the importance of marine life."